Game



April 24, 19 2s. 1,667,147

S. T. FARRELL GAME Filed Jan. 23. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l [NVEN TOR.

SYDNEY 7- FARRfu 1 ATTORNEY.

April 24, 1928.

S. T. FARRELL GAME Filed Jan. 25. 1925- 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

SYDNEY 7.- FARRELL Z; ATTORNEY.

April 24, 1928.

S. T. FARRELL GAME Filed Jan. 23, 1925 5 Sheets-Shoot 5 /N VENTOR SYDNEYr FARRELL ATTORNEY i rprovided which Patented Apr. 24, 1928.

1 PATENT OFFICE.

'S-YDNEYHTEMPLETON FARRELL, or NEwTomMAssAoHUsE'r'rs.

GAME.

Application filed Tanuary The invention to be hereinafter describedrelates to games and more particularly to a miniature, indoor baseballgame.

Heretofore, so far as I am aware, such baseball games have been designedprinci pally with respect to the performance-of the pitcher and batter,and with little or no consideration to the performance ofv the baserunners, fielders] and 'other phases of the game. V I

One of the purposes of this invention, therefore, is to simulate asfully aspossible in a minature, indoor baseball game, the plays andconditions of the actual, outdoor game. In accomplishing this,consideration is given to the different plays whi ch can be made whenany one of the eight possible base conditions exists. These conditionsare as follows: (1) bases clear, runner on first, runner on second, (4)runner on third, (5) runners on first and second, (6) runners on secondand third, (7) runners on first and third, and (8) runners on first,second and third.

' In the present instance of the invention,

the possible plays for the different base eonditions are presented byshort descriptions on a chart and cooperating withthischart is a devicewhich is adjustablcin response to or in accord with each new basecondition, thereby to selectfrom the chart a group of plays, any one ofwhichis possible when such base conditions exists. Also a device is mineby chance which play of the selected group of plays shall bethe nextplay.

Each play is given in such a way that every player who figures in theplayeither offensively or defensively, is given credit for what he doesas in a regularv game. -Imp0ssible plays or any which would be foreignto the regular game cannot occur.

The game comprises the above and other devices, a description of whichwill hereinafter appear.

, One good form of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings,whereinzv Fig. -1 is a perspective view of the device forselecting'groups of plays possible for the different base conditions; p5

Fig. 2 is an end elevationof the device shown 1, portions being brokenaway,

may be operated. to deter- 2a, 1925. Serial-No. 4, 2 22.

Fig. 3 i's'a plan of the dial and indicator device; 7

Figs. 4 and 5 plays on one section of the chart, the union of theportions of the chart in said figures being indicated by dot and dashlines in said figures;

I -Fig. 6 on an enlarged scale is a develop. ment of the markedsurfaceof the base condition indicator; and

Fig. 7 is a plan of the board having the baseball diamond, the dial andpointer, the score slatesand other devices thereon.

Referring to the drawings, the baseball game shown therein asillustrative of one good formof the invention, as stated, comprisesadevice for selecting groups of plays on a chart which are possible forvdifferent base conditions. This device includes a support 1 (Fig. 1) onwhich is mounted a chart 3 igs. 4 and 5) presenting brief descriptionsof numerous plays which arearranged in groups, there being. 24 playswhich are possible for each of the eight above-menti onedbaseconditions, making a totalof 192 taken together. present the g onthe chart, each of which lines contains twelve plays. The 192 playspresented in Figs. 4 and 5,.occupy one section of the chart, and asimilar collection of plays occupies another section of the, chart. The

plays of thetwosections are the same, but the printing of thedescriptions thereof is so disposed that the descriptions may be read byopponents sitting at opposite ends of the chart; The horizontal lines ofplays on the section of the chart shown are designated by the letters ato p. These same lines would appear on the opposite section of thechart, but in-the order b to p, a, reading from the line nearest the endof the chart toward the center of the chart, that is, therownearest theend of the chart would correspondto row b-tappearing in Figs. 4 and'5,and the row nearest thecenter of the chart would corre Qspond to row a aappearing in said figures.

A slide 5 isover the chart, and comprises a plate 7 secured to runners9having grooves at the lower edges thereof mating with ribs at the upperedges of rails ll on the support 1. The plate is aperturedtodisclosegroups of plays onv the chart, and injthe present stance, above each ofthe opposed chart sections are elongated apertures 15 and 17. On theplate adjacent each aperture 15 is a series of playidentifying numbers 1to 12, and on the plate adjacent each aperture 17 is a series of playidentifying numbers 13 to 24, the second series in effect constituting acontinuation of the first series.

Suitable means may be provided to adjust the slide relatively to thechart, in the present instance, comprising a pairof racks 19 meshingwith gears 21 on a shaft 23 mounted in bearings on the support 1. Atopposite ends of the shaft are cup-shaped wheels 25 having knurledperipheries. End portions of the shaft 23 project beyond the gears 21away from the sides of the slide and have spools or drums 27 fastthereon, each marked with the eight base conditions as appears on anenlarged scale in the development of the surface of spool appearing inFig. 6. Each of the spools is received by a shell 29 having an aperture31 through which the base conditions may be exposed one at a time. Theprinting of the base conditions on the spools is so disposed that it maybe read by the opponents sitting at opposite ends of the chart. A pairof fingers 33 project up from the base and have portions overlying theslide plate, in order to hold the runners down onto the rails and toprevent the racks 19 from gettherein will disclose the plays on thechart which are possible when the bases are clear, Next Wlll bedescribed a convenient device which is operable to determine by chancewhich play of the group of plays selected as above described shall bethe next play.

This device comprises a dial 35 (Fig. 3)

which may be marked with radial lines divid'ing the dial into spaces 37.Some of these spaces may be marked with numbers from 1 to 24corresponding to the numbers onthe slide, and others of these spaces maybe marked with the words Bali and Strike. The dial has circular lineswhich form sub-divisions 39 of the spaces between the radial lines. Eachof the numbers and each ef'the wordsmay appear in three differentpositions. For example, the number 14 may appear in one of the spacesbetween the radialjlines and in the two sub-divisions of said spaceformed by the circular lines, and in thesub-divisions the numbers facein opposite directions. The arrangement of thediamond to their thenumbers and the words is such that they can be easily read from anyangle.

At the center of the dial is a button 41 through which passes a pin 4-3,and mounted thereon is a pointer 4L5 which may have a flexible elementor whisker 17 of rubber or other suitable material, At the juncture ofthe radial lines with one of the circular lines referred to, are pinsThe construction is such that when the pointer spins, the whisker willwipe past the pins, and when the pointer comes to rest, it will alwaysbe in a position between a pair of pins.

The spaces between the radial lines are of unequal widths, the widestdivisions being marked Ball and Strike. The narrower divisions aremarked with numbers identifying plays, and the widths are determinedwithconsideration to giving the harder or more unusual plays thenarrowest spaces. In other words, the width of the spaces isproportioned to the difiiculty of the plays.

After the slide has been adjusted to select from the chart thegroup ofplays possible while a certain base condition exists, the pointer isspun and allowed to come to rest,

and the number or word at the space indicates the play which is to bemade. If

or Strike, such play ismade without reference to the chart, but ifthe'poinl'cr stops at a space marked with a number, reference is had tothe corresponding number on the slide, and the play indicated thereby onthe chart is the next pla'y to be made.

To enable ready visualization of the plays, a miniature baseball diamond51 may be laid out on a board 52 or other suitable support, and havethe-positions of the players and the umpires indicated thereon. Atopposite sides of the diamond are. the players benches 53 which will beoccupied by'the players in the order in which they come to hat. Theplayers ofeach team may be represented by checkers 55, nine in number,and having the numbers 1 to 9 on the tops thereof. hen a play has beendetermined as above described, the checkers representing the runners inthe play are placed on "the diamond in their proper positions, and onthe next play the checkers are moved on, new positions resulting fromthe play. I

To record the balls, strikes and outs, tallies 57 may beset in recessesin the board and be adapted to turn on pins'59. .These tallies are inthe form of buttons having points adapted to register with suitablenumbers on the board adjacent to the buttons. 7

Back of the players benches and at the left of the tallies are spaces 61which may the pointer stops at a space marked Ball 1 be considered torepresent the grandsta'nds" for the spectators watching the game;

The dial 85'referred to may be desirablyset in a recess in the board onwhich the diamond is marked, and directly to theleft thereof. The pin 43on which the pointer is mounted may be set in theboard, and the pins 49past which the pointer whisker wipes may also be set in this board. i

In order that the opponents playing the game may readily keep the score,a pair of slates 63maybe set in recesses in the board at opposite sidesof the dial,-and at the left of the diamond. These slates are lined andmarked with data whereby the score may device comprisingithe chart andslide may' be placed in the opposite side of the box. These sides maybeconnected by hinges, so

that when it is desired to play the game, the sides of the box may beopened so .as to disclose the devices therein. hen the gamev is not inuse, the sides may be closed and retain all of the devices of the game.Since the box is not a part ofthe invention, it has not been-considerednecessary to show the same in the drawings.

To further eXplaint-he. manner in which the game is played, one ofthebase condition indicators is adjusted'so as/to disclose bases clear inthe shell aperture of the indicator, since the game always starts withbases clear. This adjusts the slideto a'position in which any of thetwenty-four plays may be made which are possible under this basecondition.

lines aa and 2 5 on the chart shown in Figs. 4; and 5. o I 1 v 1 p ,Todetermine which of these twenty-four possible pla'ysshall be theflnextplay, the

pointer is spun on the dial. If it comesto rest at the space on the dialnumbered 12,

reference is made to'the 'play on the chart' identified by then'urnbe'rlQ' on the slide, and

this is found to be two base hit, batter takes second. Then the checkernumberedl .is

placed on second base on the'sdiamond to show that this playhas beenmade. I a v v I As stated, the slide should be adjusted in response toeach new base condition. Therefore, there is a runner on second base,the slide must be adjusted; The indicator is turned until Runner onsecond appears at {the aperture in the indicator shell. This ad justmentof the" slide discloses thev plays appearing on'lines 0'0 and gg on the;chart.

Then the pointer is again givena spin, and

if it stops at the space numbered 15 on the dial, reference is made tothe description of the play on the chart identified by number Thesetwenty-four plays are 'pre-j sented' by the brief descriptionsappearingin bescored, since the side .isout beforev the man-iscaught offbase. The presence of a since the bases are no longer clear and 1 Thisplay.

115011 the slide, and this is found to be batter out, third base tofirst base, runner on second advances tothird base. Since the slide to aposition to disclose the twentyfour plays'which may be possible underthis base condition. a

If after the pointer is given a spin it comes to rest at. a space on thedial marked Ball, reference to the chart is unnecessary, and the tallyregistering balls is adjusted to point to 1. Similarly, if the pointerafter being given a spin comestorest at aspace on the dial markedStrikef,referencev to the chart is unnecessary, and the strikes isadjusted to pointto 1."

Thus, in this fashion the game is played it until one of the sides hasthree outs. Then the other side comes to bat. Each event of the game maybe recorded on the slates.

To facilitatescoring of the plays, the parts of certain of thedescriptionsof plays may be graphically differentiated, This may beaccomplished by underscoring portions of the descriptions of the plays,or it may be accomplished by printingsuch portions in red and black ink-1 a To further facilitate scoring of the plays,

certain of the descriptions of plays may be.

accompanied by code indicia. The presence of an asterisk in a spacecontaining a description of a play-signifies that if two men "are out]and two strikes are on the batter, the second part of the play is not tosmall square in asp ace containing a descrip-.

tion ofa play signifies that if less than two men. are out before theplay described is started, the batter: should be credited with asacrifice hit. The presence of a small circle CODlZaIDIHg a cross m 'aspace containing .a

description of a play signifies that if there are any out before theplaydescribed is started, the run is not to be counted.

I In order'to illustrate the use of the differentiated portions of thedescriptions of certain of the plays and the code indicia in certain ofthe spaces, the followingexample may be considered; V a 1 ()ne of the.most'difiicult plays to score reads on the chart as ,f ollows,-d oubleplay,

runner onfirstand ,batter out, 213. to S. S.

to 1 B., runner on second takes third, runner on third. scores. A circlecontaining across appears in the s pace in which thissplay is described.7 '7 covers following situation during a game, There are threezm'en on Kassist.

bases. The man at bat hits a ground ballto the second baseman. Thesecond baseman scoops it up and tosses it to the shortstop who coverssecond. This forces out the runner occupying first base before the playstarted. In the meantime the runner on second has a big lead off thatbase and makes third safely, and the runner on third also having abig'lcad, safely reaches home and scores a run. However, the shortstopafter making the put-out on the man running from first, seeing thatthereis no chance to catch the other two runners, throws the ball to thefirst baseman in time to put out the batter and complete a double play.

If there is nobody out at thetime this play occurs, the entiredescription of the play in the space would be coi'isidered, and the playwould be scored as follows. The batter would be charged witha turn atbat. The second baseman would be credited with The shortstop would becredited with a put-out and an assist. baseman would be credited with aput-out. And the runner on third would be "credited with scoring onerun.

On the other hand, if'there is one man out at the time this play occurs,the entire description of the play appearing in the space in questionwould be taken into considera tion, and the entire play would be scoredthe same -as above, with the exception of.credit ing the runner on thirdwith a run. This is signified by the small circle containing a cross atthe end of the description'of the play, which refers to the code or rulegiven above stating that if there are any out before this play isstarted, the run does not count. Since one man is already out before theplay is started, the double play makes it three out, and 'therefore,theside which has been at bat is retired, and the run does not count.

If there' should be two out when the play in'question occurs, only theunderscored portion of the description of the play is considered. Thiswould make the play read as follows. Runner on first out, 2 B. to- S. S.The play would be scored as follows. Batteris charged with'a turn atbat. Second baseman is credited with an assist. And shortstop iscredited with a put-out?" This put-out being the third out of the inningwould retire the side at bat without any further play. It is in a caseofthis kind that the underscored portion and the remaining portion of thedescription of a play features, as it will not be necessary to read thewhole play in order to see at once which is the first man to be putoutin any double play, and what player makes the put-out and assist whenthere is one.

' While the invention has been described more particularly with respectto a baseball game, it will be'un'derstood that 'som'e featuresthereofar'e applicable to othergames.

The first It will be understood'that the inventionis not limited to thespecific embodiment shown, and that various deviations may be madetherefrom without departing from the spirit or scope of the appendedclaims.

WVhat is claimed is:

1. In agame, a chart having numerous plays described thereon, anadjustable slide over the chart having elongated apertures and numbersalong and adjacent to said apertures, said slide being adjustable inresponse to each new play condition to disclose a through said aperturesonly plays on the chart which are possible while such play conditionexists. V

2. In a game, a chart having numerous plays described thereon, a slideover the chart apertured and adjustable to disclose different groups ofplays which are possible when different play conditions exist, and meansfor indicating the'different play conditions. v

3. In a baseball game, a chartihaving nu merous playsdescribed thereon,means adjustable in response to each new base condition to select onlyplays which are possible when such base condition exists, and means fordetermining the adjustment of said means including a spool having thedifferent base conditions marked thereon.

4. In a baseball game, a chart having numerous plays describedthereon,means adjustable in response to each new base condition to select onlyplays which are possible when such base condition exists, means fordetermining the adjustment of said means including a spool having thediiferent base conditions marked thereon, and a shell receiving saidspool having an aperturef through which said different base conditionsmay be seen one at a time. i

5. In a baseball game, a chart having numerous plays described thereon,a slide over the chart apertured and adjustable to disclose diflerentgroups of plays which are possible when difierent base conditions exist,andmeans including a rack and gear for adjusting said slide to. presentthe proper group of plays for each base condition.

6. In a game, a support, a chart onsaid thereon, and a slide havingrunners movable. along said support, said slide being 'apertured andadjustable to disclose difresponse to each new play condition andsupport having numerous plays described ing numbers identifyingthe'plays of the group; and a device having numbers corresponding to theaforesaid numbers, and means to select one of said numbers by chance,thereby to determine which one of the plays of theselected group ofplays shall be the next play.

9. In a baseball ame, a chart having numerous different pIays describedthereon, means adjustable in response to each new base condition toselect a group of plays on the chart, any one of which is possible whensuch base condition exists, said means having numbers identifying theplays of the group, a dial having thereon numbers corresponding to theaforesaid numbers and having marked thereon the words Ball and Strike,and a pointer adapted to be spun and come to rest at one of said numbersor words, thereby to determine which play shall be the next play.

10. In a baseball game, a chart having arv ranged thereon eight groupsof descriptions ,of-plays corresponding to the eight possible baseconditions, the description of plays of each group being possible for aparticular base condition, and selective means to render saidgroupssingly visible on the chart.

' 11. In a baseball game, a pair of charts,

each having arranged thereon eight groups of descriptions of playscorresponding to the eight possible base conditions, the descriptions ofplays of each group being possible for a particular base condition, andsaid charts being disposed to be read by two persons facing each other.

12. In a baseball game, a dial divided into spaces, some of which bearnumbers while others bear, the Words Ball and Strike, said numbers andwords being marked on the dial in a plurality of positions in each spaceto facilitate reading of the same'from any angle, and a pointerrotatably 1 mounted on'the dial and adapted to be'spun and to come torest at any one of said spaces.

SYDNEY TEMPLETON FARRELL. e

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,667,147. Granted April 24, 1928, to

4 SYDNEY TEMPLETON FARRELL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows; Page 3,line 86, before the word "strikes" insert the words "tally recording";and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correctiontherein that the same may conformto the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of May, A. D. 1928.

i M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

